Chapter 46

Her body still trembled against mine, her weight pressing me deeper into the mattress as if she refused to let me slip away. Strands of her hair had fallen loose, brushing against her cheeks, yet even in this disheveled state she looked untouchable.

I was trapped beneath her, my chest rising and falling in ragged bursts. Every part of me ached—her nails had carved lines down my shoulders, her grip on my wrists had left raw red marks, and the bruises from yesterday still throbbed beneath my skin. She had been rough, almost relentless, as if she needed to consume me entirely to reassure herself that I belonged only to her.

Her thighs tightened around me once more, her body quivering as the last wave of pleasure left her pressed hard against me. Slowly, she lowered herself, her lips brushing close to my ear, her breath hot and unsteady.

“Say it,” she whispered, her voice low, commanding. “Say you love me.”

My throat was raw, my lips dry, but I forced the words out. “…I love you, Yuna.”

For a beat, silence lingered between us. Then her entire expression softened, almost alarmingly so, as though those three words had flipped a switch inside her. She kissed me—softly this time, tender, as if the same woman who had just torn me apart with her body was capable of warmth after all.

“Good,” she murmured, her lips grazing my cheek. “Because I love you too.”

She stayed there for a moment longer, her warmth pressed against mine, before finally pulling herself off me. I lay there, chest raising and failing, as she slipped from the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

⸻

By the time I managed to gather myself, I forced my aching body upright and began preparing dinner. Chopping vegetables, stirring soup, just something to keep my hands busy. Every movement made the bruises flare, but I said nothing.

I heard the water stop. A few minutes later, Yuna stepped out of the bathroom, her hair damp and falling over her shoulders, her silk robe loosely tied around her waist.

She sat down at the dining table without a word. I set the plates before her and took the seat opposite.

The sound of cutlery against porcelain was the only thing between us. The silence was thick, almost suffocating.

It was me who broke it. My voice came out quieter than I intended, almost hesitant.

“Yuna… is it true? That I’m really going to start working at your company next week?”

The clink of her fork paused. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to me. That cold, unblinking stare pierced straight through me, and in that instant, I knew—she was serious.

I swallowed hard, my voice unsteady. “…I’m not sure if I can do it. I don’t know if I’ll be any good.”

Her expression didn’t shift. “You’ll learn,” she said simply, like it wasn’t even up for debate. Then, after a pause, her lips curved into something sharper. “Besides… the main reason I want you there is so I get to see you all day.”

The weight of her words pressed down on me, and I felt my nerves tighten.

She tilted her head, her voice low and calm. “You didn’t dislike it, did you, Haemin?”

I forced a small smile, my lips dry. “Y-Yes.”

Her eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, before she returned to her food without another word.

⸻

Dinner ended quietly. I cleared the table while Yuna remained seated, watching me with unreadable eyes. My hands shook faintly as I washed the dishes, the sound of running water mixing with the pounding of my heart.

I couldn’t shake the unease crawling up my spine. I could feel her gaze on my back, and every second that passed without her saying something made me more nervous. Was she upset? Did I say something wrong? The tension twisted my stomach into knots.

Then I heard it—her footsteps. Slow, deliberate, moving closer.

My body stiffened. I wanted to turn around, but I couldn’t. The fear rooted me in place, my hands still submerged in the warm water.

And then, without warning, I felt her arms slip around my waist from behind.

I froze. My breath hitched.

Her cheek pressed gently against my shoulder as she leaned toward me, her embrace tight but not crushing. Just enough to keep me from moving. The silence stretched. I didn’t know what she was thinking, or what she might do next.

When she finally spoke, her voice was low—calm, but carrying a weight that made it feel more like a threat than a question.

“You don’t resent me for this, do you? For making you work in my company?”

My throat went dry. The answer she wanted was obvious. Anything else would be dangerous.

“…No. I don’t resent you.”

Her arms tightened slightly, pulling me closer into her. I could feel her breath against my shoulder as she whispered, “Good… I hope you understand. Because I’m doing this for us.”

Her words clung to the air.

Inside, my chest tightened. For us… or for you? The thought rang loudly in my head, but I didn’t dare voice it.

Instead, I let the silence hold.

Her arms tightened again, this time almost tender, Her voice softened as she spoke. 

“Thank you, Haemin… for coming into my life.”

I let myself melt into her embrace, resting against her warmth.

A week later, my life as her employee began.

______

The headquarters of Nara Group towered above me like a fortress, its glass facade gleaming in the morning sun. I adjusted the lapel of my suit and drew in a slow breath, trying to steady myself. On the surface, I must have looked calm—just another young man in a suit, ready for work.

But inside, my chest was tight, my thoughts spiraling.

This wasn’t university anymore.

Cars streamed in and out of the circular driveway—sleek black sedans with tinted windows, luxury vans unloading sharply dressed executives. Men in tailored suits strode past with clipped steps, women in pencil skirts balanced coffee trays and folders, their expressions sharp with purpose. Security bowed as VIPs passed, while receptionists greeted arrivals with voices as polished as their smiles.

I straightened my shoulders and stepped forward, forcing my legs into motion. If anyone looked closely, they wouldn’t see the storm in my chest—they’d only see someone walking with quiet confidence.

The moment I passed through the revolving doors into the marble-floored lobby, the shift was instant.

Eyes. Too many of them.

Executives in crisp suits glanced my way, assistants faltered mid-step, even the receptionists’ smiles seemed to flicker as their gazes followed me. My reflection in the mirrored wall showed me why. I didn’t look like I belonged here—and yet, I stood out. Too young. The kind of face that drew attention, even when I wished it wouldn’t.

“Who is that?” someone whispered behind me.

“Looks like a new recruit… but too well-dressed for an intern.”

“He’s handsome, isn’t he? Maybe someone’s son?”

“Tch, nepotism… figures.”

The comments brushed against me. Some voices were curious, some dismissive, others tinged with envy. I kept my expression neutral, walking as if I hadn’t heard a thing.

“Mr. Kim.”

The voice cut through the murmurs, clear and composed. I turned, startled, to find Harin approaching.

Yuna’s personal assistant. Her shadow. The second most influential figure in the entire company.

Even here, where everyone carried authority, she commanded the space effortlessly. Her sharp black suit accentuated her poise, every movement precise, deliberate. When her lips curved into a polite smile, it was as though the room itself paused.

And then the whispers started again, louder this time.

“Wait—is that Harin-ssi?”

“She’s greeting him personally?”

“No way… who is he?”

“Must be someone important for Harin to come down herself.”

I felt the stares sharpen, but I didn’t let it show. My hands stayed steady at my sides, my face calm, though inside my nerves coiled tighter with every passing second.

Harin’s heels clicked softly against the marble as she stopped in front of me, bowing her head just slightly. Her voice was warm, smooth, yet carried the weight of authority.

“You must be nervous,” she said, as though the whole lobby wasn’t watching. “The Chairwoman told me you’d be arriving today. I’ll take you upstairs.”

I inclined my head politely, my tone even. “Thank you, Harin-ssi.”

Her gaze flickered over me briefly, sharp and assessing, before she turned. The whispers swelled as we began walking side by side.

We crossed the lobby together, her pace brisk, heels striking in measured rhythm against the marble floor. I kept close behind, aware of the eyes still following us, every whisper sharpening the air around me.

When the elevator doors slid open with a chime, Harin stepped inside first. I followed, and the moment the doors closed behind us, the buzz of the lobby vanished.

The quiet was almost suffocating.

Harin pressed the button for the top floor, then glanced at me. For a beat, she said nothing, simply studying me with those calm, unreadable eyes of hers. I kept my expression neutral, though my pulse thudded a little harder.

Then her lips curved into a small smile, softer. “You don’t need to look so tense, Mr. Kim. I’ll make sure everything goes smoothly for you here. Trust me—you’ll manage just fine.”

Her voice was warmer than I’d ever imagined from Yuna’s right hand. It almost startled me.

I let out a quiet breath, giving a faint shrug. “…I don’t know if I can live up to that.”

“Of course you can,” she said firmly. Then, with a playful glimmer, she added, “Fighting, as they say.”

The word slipped from her so naturally, so lightly, that I blinked. For a moment, the strict, polished image of Harin cracked, and I caught a glimpse of something… almost funny.

I found myself smiling faintly. “Thanks, Harin-ssi. I’ll try. Though, honestly, I thought I’d be starting in the Corporate Strategy Department. Chairwomen mentioned something about it few weeks ago. So… I was preparing myself for an analyst role.”

Her brows lifted slightly. She tilted her head, as if puzzled. “Corporate Strategy? What are you talking about, Mr. Kim?”

The faint smile froze on my face. “…Huh? My assignment. Wasn’t I supposed to join that department?”

Her expression shifted to one of mild surprise, then something unreadable flickered in her eyes. “That was the original plan, yes. But didn’t the Chairwoman inform you of the change?”

My heart skipped. “Ch-change? No… she didn’t tell me anything.”

She studied me for a long moment, then her voice lowered, steady and deliberate. “Mr. Kim… you’re not going to Corporate Strategy anymore.”

“Huh?” My voice cracked again, disbelief flooding me.

Harin’s tone was calm. “From today, you’re officially assigned as the Chairwoman’s assistant.”

My legs almost gave out.